Conflict in Tigray region of Ethiopia has caused a humanitarian crisis

Located in eastern Africa, Ethiopia is the second most populated nation on the African continent. Ethiopia is also the oldest independent country in Africa. On November 4, 2020 a conflict started when Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed ordered a military attack against regional forces in the Tigray section of Ethiopia. Tigray is the northernmost regional state in Ethiopia. Tigray is the 5th most populated of the 11 regional states in Ethiopia. The regional states are divided by ethnicity. The orchestrated military offensive was the result of a long-standing feud between the Ethiopian government and influential political leaders in Tigray. 

The Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) has been designated a terrorist organization by the Ethiopian government. Opposition forces in Tigray have formed the Tigray Defense Forces (TDF) which includes TPLF and non-TPLF members.

The ongoing conflict has left and estimated 10,000 people dead and over 350,000 people on the brink of starvation. Since the start of the conflict over 1/3rd of the 6 million people who live in the Tigray region have become refugees. 

Facts about Ethiopia:

President: Sahle-Work Zewde

Prime minister: Abiy Ahmed

Population: 110.9 million (July 2021 estimate)

Land area: 437,794 square miles (slightly less than twice the size of Texas)

Capital: Addis Ababa

Sources:

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-54964378

https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/ethiopia/#geography

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